South Carolina preview

Hopefully, we will be seeing this alot on Saturday.

AU begins its October murderer's row with a trip to Gamecock country in Columbia, South Carolina. Auburn has been struggling all year stopping the run and they face a huge test in future all everything Marcus Lattimore. Auburn had really good success last year defending him, but this year, AU's D-line has not shown it can slow down FAU's rushing attack, much less Lattimore. AU comes in a 10 point dog and it could possibly be alot more.

Keys to the game:
AU has to show some life on defense, aka, getting off the field on the third downs, slowing down the run and pressuring the QB. If AU cannot do these things at least the majority of the time, you can forget about a chance to win; I just hope it wont be a 60-point beatdown. Losing Dee Ford for the season hurts, but it was at a deep position so it's not as devastating a loss. Ford was playing pretty well, though, and is one of the more experienced defensemen AU has.

My armchair QB is coming out again, but oh well, here it goes. I think for AU to have a chance, based on the previous four games, they will have to put 9 guys in the box. AU has to make Garcia beat them through the air. Garcia has a tendency to make mistakes and force throws which lead to turnovers. The key is to get pressure on him. If he has all day to throw, he will pick AU apart, especially having an All-American in Alshon Jeffrey. Au has to disguise what they are doing on defense and send man blitzes from everywhere. The zone or "gap" blitzes have not worked at all this year and have been picked up even by FAU. It might not be a bad idea to employ a Joe Lee Dunn blitz scheme this week; just send a bunch of people from a bunch of different places all the time. It is a high risk high reward defense, but I don't know if we have a choice at this point.

On offense, AU just has to get in a rhythm and keep it going. Give Dyer the ball a bunch and block for him. Don't make Trotter win the game for you but allow him to make some plays down the field. And for goodness' sake, let him run some on the read-option. He has to in order for this offense to be consistently successful.

I believe AU will be able to move the ball on USCe and score some points. The question lies, as usual, with the defense. Will AU's defense show up and play lights out? Or will Lattimore and Jeffrey have a field day? This game is hard to read because it could be a USCe blowout or AU could win going away. I think AU plays well, but based on what I've seen so far this year, AU cannot consistently stop anybody. I think AU plays hard and keeps it close for a while, but in the end, with it being on the road, USCe will be too strong and pull out the victory.

Prediction: AU - 31 USCe - 41

FAU reax

So FAU rolled into JHS with the worst offense in the nation and one of the worst defenses in the nation and AU only won by 16. All week, Chizik talked about working on us and working on defense and tackling. You would think that AU wouldn't really have to study too much film on FAU in order to stop them, right? I mean, they only had one first down last week against Michigan ST. ONE!!!! Oh, by the way, they had 19 against AU. They were 3-23 on third down all year and they were 5-14 last night (which isn't too terrible on defense).

It all started badly when on the first play, Trotter threw a pick and FAU, with a short field, kicked a field goal to go up 3-0. The offense did respond scoring a TD but were only up 10-6 at half. The second half was a bit better, intercepting FAU three times returing one of those for a TD.

The defense played sloppy most of the time: running past the play, giving up too much yardage on pass plays, not getting ANY pressure on the QB except for a few times and more missed tackles (though not as many as last week).

The offense looked completely out of rhythm with a lack of tenacity. It really looked like the players didn't want to be out there and were just going through the motions. The O-line got no push and Dyer only had around 60 yards rushing. Did I mention this was against one of the worst defenses in the nation.

The only bright spot was the play of a few freshmen, Therezie and Frazier. Therezie tackled really well and was in position to make plays while he was in the game. Frazier played well and ran the ball really hard and made nice cuts to avoid tacklers.

Now for the couch QB's 2 cents. It looked as if Malzahn is either running vanilla plays or is running only half the offense. Everytime AU runs the read-option we hand the ball off to Dyer or McCalebb (except a couple times). And everytime, the DE crashes down and takes the RB and leaves the QB wide open. Why, oh why is Trotter not running more? Is it because he can't, he's not fast enough or the coaches have no faith in him to run? I don't know, but he HAS to be a threat to run in order for this offense to work. Otherwise, you get the offense that was on display during the Clemson game and last night. That ain't gonna cut it the next 4 weeks. I think that if the coaches don't think Trotter can run, then put in Frazier and let him run the offense. Don't get me wrong, I think Barrett is a fine QB and does alot of things well, but if AU is only running half the offense because of him, then he can't run it! I would rather Frazier get in, get some reps and experience and you might get more production. Trotter may know the offense but executing it is something completely different. All I'm saying is I think AU has reached a ceiling with Trotter and may not get much more than they already have.

This will probably not happen because it reeks of desperation. But, I think this may be where AU is in terms of having a productive offense. Have you seen Trotter throw it between 7 and 15 yards much? Me either. Why? Why does he hold the ball and take sacks after the O-line gives him a good 5 seconds to throw? Is it because the receivers aren't open or because Trotter is unsure? I think the latter.

AU is about to go head first into the brutal part of their schedule playing four ranked SEC teams with three on the road and all looking for revenge. AU better figure this out and get it together, otherwise, Samford may be the next and only victory AU gets to enjoy this year.

FAU preview

There isn't much to say here other than the worst team in the nation comes to JHS at the best possible time. AU needs a game to recoup and learn who they are and learn how badly they want to be a decent team this year. All the pieces are there, except experience.

I practice anesthesia and I relate this young team to my training early in my career. I can read all about providing anesthesia to patients in books and watch film on it and go to seminars and watch others do it, but until I actually get in the OR and do a case, I am not going to be very good. Even after doing many cases for many weeks or months, I'm still not going to be very good until I have done it over and over and over. It takes time and being placed in various situations to be able to predict what's likely going to happen and then how to respond. After doing this for many years, I know (most of the time) what to look for and how to respond to any situation. In a sense, that is what this team is, especially on defense. They have played three games together and are still learning how to respond and play. Until they get more reps, the players may get confused and their reaction time will be slower thus bad angles, poor coverage, etc. This doesn't even take into consider the multiple looks that an offense may run.

The point of my rant is to give it time. I believe we will see this young team play better and better and be pretty good by the end of the year. They will not quit and that is what I like about them and this coaching staff. Now, this does not excuse the poor tackling that they have exhibited so that should have been and needs to be corrected immediately if this team is going to succeed.

As far as the game goes, AU will score at will and have no problem beating FAU. What I want to see is if AU can consistently force FAU to punt and put pressure on the QB and stop the run. 3rd down conversions have to improve! I know it won't tell us much because of how bad FAU is, but if AU cannot do this consistently against FAU, there is no way they can against any other team, much less the brutal SEC schedule that is coming.

Prediction: AU 56 FAU 16

Exercise part 2

I meant to post this last week but got busy so here it is:

After the intial workout I posted earlier, I follow that day with a lighter exercise. I ride a stationary bike, but you can run or whatever with this one. You do a five minute warmup and then alternate going fast (on the bike) or running fast (9/10) for a minute and going slow or walking for a minute. Do this for 15 minutes and then cool down for 5 min. On the third day, the exercises go as follows:

6 jumps
10 spiderman pushups
rest one minute
15 underhand inverted rows
20 Bulgarian split squats
rest one minute
10 burpees
45 seconds side plank
repeat x2

On day 4, repeat the lighter exercise as stated above and then on the 5th and last day, you get to do a circuit test. There is no rest inbetween these exercises and you do it as many times as you can for 30 minutes.

5 pullups
10 jumps
15 close-grip pullups
10 walking lunges (each leg)
5 chinups
10 mountain climbers (each leg)
10 inverted rows
10 1-leg deadlifts (each leg)
25 bicycle crunches
15 step-ups (each leg)
10 decline pushups

I do rest one minute after I complete one total set and I can usually do 3 of them in 30 minutes. It literally kills me to do this, but I am getting better and less likely to have a coronary afterward.

So, this is what I'm doing for the next 4 weeks. It usually works best while eating correctly, but I haven't quite got the hang of that yet. Oh, I know how to eat right, I just don't like to do it. Maybe I can get motivated soon.

Clemson reax

Well, it was bound to happen eventually, albeit not the way I thought it would. AU came into the Clemson game with a rabbit's foot shoved up its.....well, you know and relying on an explosive offense and a porous but opportunistic defense. Both things came crashing down on the Howard Field this past Saturday.

AU was a 4.5 point dog and came out guns blazing in the first quarter. THe defense stopped Clemson on two 3 and outs and a six and out and scored two TD's in the process to take a 14-0 lead. But, it all fell apart after that. CU shredded the AU defense, especially in the 2nd half to a tune of 600+ yards and 38 points. Meanwhile, the AU offense decided it wasn't going to block or catch or do anything it was doing in the first half and only scored 3 points in the 2nd half.

Everyone has been calling for the coaches' heads, but I'm not one to go completely ape over one loss. I will say this, though. The team took a step back this week and it really surprised me. I know, I know it was on the road against a team looking for payback from last year, but I expected AU to play much better. I can handle a loss, as bad as it is, but I can't handle digressing and playing unenthused.

Likes:

Parkey was his usual self with a perfect field goal and touchbacks on kickoffs. Special teams coverage was good. Mike Dyer ran like a man possessed (16 for 152!!). First quarter all around a good job. Darren Bates finally played really well and tackled really well (that's saying something).

Dislikes:

Tackling, once again was atrocious. Third downs absolutely killed us with CU converting 10 in a row at one point. That in itself will cause the defense to have a let down and keep the offense out of rhythm. AU coaches didn't seem to make any adjustments, at least that showed on the field, and CU make adjustments and executed them to perfection. Blocking on the perimeter was not very good and pass protection could have been better, but wasn't bad. Trotter staring down Emory Blake before he throws it to him (or an interception). D-line getting no push and no pressure on the QB. Have to have this to be successful.

I'm not using young as an excuse, but this was only the 3rd start for alot of these guys and the first one on the road. It's time for the coaches and players to regroup and reassess and come out and play inspired, hard-nosed AU football. No, AU won't win 9 games (like I predicted rather optomistically earlier), but they still have a chance to get to a bowl. What will be interesting to see is how well the team handles this loss. It's easy to get along and be a leader when you win. Now is the tricky part. Knowing these coaches, players and AU, I think AU will bounce back and get better. They won't win every game but will play competitively and will beat somebody they aren't supposed to. Stayed tuned for a wild, probably frustrating but entertaining season.

Clemson preview

The Tigers of Auburn take their young team to a hostile environment for the first time this Saturday into the confines of Death Valley, home to the Clemson Tigers. Clemson, I'm sure you have heard, is very similar to AU in that the people who built AU, moved to South Carolina and built a similar campus, etc. After last year's game, where Clemson was one pass away from winning, they have had this game circled on the calendar and have wanted another shot. AU was fortunate to win last year and that game really catapulted them into the conference games and playing with more intensity and physicality (word?, it is now). Clemson's season spiraled out of control and the team that probably should have beaten AU ended up 6-7.

This weekend's game will be a shootout, I believe. Both teams have struggled this year defensively and I don't really expect that to change Saturday. Auburn has had the opportunity to play MSU, a bit more of a challenge than Wofford or Troy, but both teams have given up huge chunks of yardage. Clemson brought in a Malzahn protoge who runs a very similar offense as AU. CU's QB, Tajh Boyd is a smaller version of Relf: runs better than he throws. He is complemented by Andre Ellington, who gashed us last year for 140 yards, in the backfield along with a pair of 5-star freshman phenoms in RB Mike Bellamy and WR Sammie Coates. Clemson, like AU, is a young team trying to get a feel for their identity and has had some issues with production and execution.

I feel that Clemson's struggles in the first two games are nothing to write home about, because they were probably overlooking/preparing in advance for AU and the two HUGE games that follow, FSU and VT. AU will have to stop the run, especially the read option that is sure to come, and make Boyd throw the ball in order to beat Clemson. The interior D line has to play big and make some stops and the rush ends cannot over-run the play. And for goodness sake, someone please punish the QB on the option read. If AU does, Boyd will think twice about running and he will more than likely pitch it sooner, allowing our defense to rush to the ball. On offense, we need to continue to play physical and push them off the line of scrimmage. I think AU will be able to move the ball, but will have to put points on the board. A deep ball every now and then would be nice too. Malzahn has a knack for setting up plays, for example: AU may run the bubble screen every game and then, out of the same formation, AU may run a reverse flea-flicker against bama for a TD. The point is I expect to see more bubble screens Saturday.

Another 11am kick and the temps are supposed to be in the upper 60's to low 70's. The crowd will be loud and the young team will have to be able to communicate and respond. This is a huge game for both teams, however, 4 of Clemson's coaches either played or coached at bama, so a little more incentive for them. I think Clemson will come out fired up and hot and will take a lead, but AU will respond and be able to move the ball consistently. Again, I see a shoot-out and a back and forth score until Parkey kicks the game winner with no time on the clock.

Prediction: AU - 31 CU - 28

Exercise

Since this isn't supposed to be a blog just about AU football (although that wouldn't be so bad :) I have decided to write about my exercise routine so not only will it help me keep up with what I'm doing, but also keep me accountable. I'm back to doing an exercise routine from turbulence training which it basically a circuit routine doing mainly body weight moves. I usually respond better to routines that involve more lifting, but I dont have a power rack and until I do, it's way too dangerous to lift heavy with no spotter. I started last week, but here is what my routine is:

Day 1:
warmup - 12 squats, 10 pushups, 10 mountain climbers and 10 lunges. (x2)
1A) 8 pullups
1B) 8 1-leg squats
rest one minute
2A) 15 elevated shoulder presses
2B) 10 walking lunges (each leg)
rest one minute
3A) 15 inverted rows
3B) 4 sets multi-directional lunges
rest one mintue and repeat

do this 3 times. after doing this, I'm wiped out. It doesn't sound like alot, but doing it with little to no rest and 3 times will put a hurt on you. It only takes about 30 minutes to do and that's about all the time I have to work-out. Hopefully I can keep it up.

Miss St. REAX

My heart literally stopped a couple of times during the game. Wow, what a finish. I have to say that I am very impressed by the way the Tigers never quit and showed some heart. The team is gaining valuable experience that will not only help them this year during the tough games, but also in the years to come. Knowing that AU has some where around 5 or 6 seniors that play significantly only adds fuel to the fire of AU being a contender for years to come. But I'm not one to say "wait til next year" so, I'll take what I can get this year. Now, on to the game:

AU came into this game a 6-7 point underdog at home. That's basically the same as being a 10 point dog because you get 2.5-3 points for playing at home. This was going to be MSU's signature game and a statement about how the rest of the season was going to be played out. Many considered MSU to be a dark horse in the SEC West and the first step was AU. MSU had come off of a blowout victory over Memphis and AU struggled and barely beat WAC bottom-dweller Utah St at JHS. MSU had 9 guys back on offense and Relf and Bullard were two huge guys that had the potential to shred the D-line for big gains each time they touched the ball. Nobody really gave AU a chance.

AU kicked to start the game and forced Miss St. to punt. My first thought was that the defense was much improved and had come out with tenacity. AU scored first on a Mike Dyer run around the end where he left everyone (suprising speed) and raced down the sideline. The next posession for MSU, Relf threw a pass that hit an AU defender in the helmet and deflected into Demetruce's arms and he ran for a pick 6. AU is up 14-0 at this point and although I'm extremely happy, I'm also somewhat subdued cause I know there is way too much time left and MSU had a good offense coupled with our spotty defense. Sure enough, MSU responded with their own end-around and scored on a 40-yard run. I have to say this: Neiko Thorpe took a terrible angle at the runner and then looked like he just slowed up and let him run right by him. Surely not, but that's what it looked like (even after watching it on replay four or five times). MSU scored again after that with running the ball down our throats. I knew then that it would be a long day. After trading punts, AU has the ball at their own 20 and Trotter throws it in the general direction of Benton but an MSU defender is right there and picks it off and takes it for a TD. MSU up 21-14. AU takes the ball and starts to drive and then Trotter hits Emory Blake on a crossing route and Blake outruns everyone to the endzone for 6. Blake is becoming a very good option for Trotter, but I'm still waiting on that solid number 2. Thought Stallworth had it from last week, but he was a no-show this week, as well as Benton. Dyer scored again on short run and AU is up 28-21 getting close to half. MSU had to settle for a field goal on their next possession and left AU with about 40 seconds in the half. All of the previous coaches would have knelt and taken the 4 point lead into halftime, but not our coaches. AU was able to get a great return from Tre Mason on the kickoff and then move the ball into field goal range for Cody Parkey to make his first college field goal from 43 yards. AU leads 31-24 at half and gets the ball to start the 2nd half.

I'm feeling pretty good right now despite the fact that the MSU offense has shredded our Dline but, AU still led. The 3rd quarter AU and MSU traded field goals and AU finally got a TD from the Lutz early in the 4th to put AU up 41-27. Still way too much time left to feel too good. True to form, the AU defense gave up a TD with 5 min left. Up 41-34 with 5 min left, AU needed a couple of first downs to run some clock, but did they get it? Nope. AU, of course, goes three and out and punts it back to MSU with 3.5 min left and MSU will all 3 timeouts. MSU gashed our line with option reads, end-arounds and Relf right up the gut until they reached the 1 yard line with about 20 seconds where AU called timeout to regroup and rest. The next play Relf handed off to Bullard and AU stopped him for no gain and MSU called timeout (the last one). On the last play, Relf kept it himself and ran to the left where Ryan Smith came out of nowhere to make the tackle at the one inch line.

Positives:

AU special teams: Great kick and punt coverage. Mason is a beast at kick return. In his 2nd game, MSU avoided kicking him the ball. Awesome! Reed making positive yards after punts. Run game improved and moved the ball well. Emory Blake is a sure-handed go to guy and can make major YACs. Heart and desire to find a way to win despite losing the statistical battles.

Negatives:

Down field passing - everytime AU threw it downfield, good things happened. Mostly AU just threw screens and bubble passes that didn't work most of the time. I wonder if Malzahn has seen something in practice that makes him leary of Trotter throwing it down the field more? Obviously the defense but especially on 3rd and 4th down. MSU killed us in those situations and it looked like we were lost and not lined up correctly. The Dline has to get better at making stops more consistently, but this takes time and they will get better.

All in all, a great win over the 16th ranked team in the nation. Now, on to Clemson, where it's a great chance to beat a BCS team at their place. This will be a major test for this young team and a huge step in possibly earning a bowl trip. Clemson preview coming later this week.

Mississippi State preview

AU plays MSU tomorrow for another breakfast edition of college football. I know I said in my last post that I think this game could be ugly and it still could. MSU definitely has the ability to put a hurt on AU and not think twice about it. However, I think that AU plays better and comes out fired up and ready to show that last week was not how AU plays football. MSU is a good team with a good offense. Their defense is still a bit of a mystery, however, because they have only played a really bad Memphis team. Chris Relf is back at QB for the bulldogs and has the ability to make plays. He will not win many games if the offense relies on just him, but, in light of that, they return 9 offensive starters. I don't care who you are, that helps.

As for the game, I think AU plays inspired and is able to move the ball. We will pass more if warranted, but I think Gus still wants to run the ball. The offensive line will need to get tough quickly and open up some holes for Dyer and McCalebb. The defense will have to make stops especially against the run. They have to get off the field after 3rd downs and not miss tackles. I think AU gets up and then MSU makes a comeback but AU wins in the end 38-35. It will be a high-scoring affair with question marks remaining for both defenses and both offenses clicking along nicely.

Auburn needs to win this game, first off because it's at home and one of the probable few AU can win. Also, this will kick-start the SEC season into gear and will get us ready for the trip to Clemson and the brutal October. Wake up early AU fans and cheer loud! War Eagle!

Utah State review

Well, all I can say is wow. This game provided a wide array of emotions and ups and downs to last all season. Auburn came into this game very young and inexperienced just about everywhere and not really knowing what to expect. If you ready my previous post on how I though the season would go, I thought AU would play well and improve as it went. I, however, did not expect the game I saw Saturday. I won't sugarcoat anything, but I will preface by saying it's hard to win and be consistently good when half the team was playing highschool ball last year. That said, on to the review:

I was anxious to see the new guys get in and show off what we as Auburn fans had been waiting on all summer. Auburn kicked to start the game and right off the bat, it was apparent that it might be a long day. The first half was a blur, but I don't remember AU ever stopping USU on a three and out. They may have, but I don't remember. I do remember the defensive front getting pushed around and the linebackers not being in position to make a tackle and playing too shallow in the Tampa 2 defense on a 3rd and 20. These are all due to inexperience and should be correctable. Yes, even the line's toughness. If you recall last year, the O-line was having a hard time being tough and then turned it on. We may not be able to do it this year, but it can be fixed. On offense, it looked like we would be running the ball come hell or high water. USU stacked the box with 9 and 10 defenders and we kept trying to establish the run. I will never second guess Malzahn on play calling but I do wonder what the philosophy behind it was. When we passed, we made good plays. We never could get a decent push from the O-line, either from them stacking the line or just AU not being physical enough. Hopefully, all these things can be corrected before Saturday. Trotter looked good and did not do anything to hurt AU. It looked as if he may have checked down too soon but that may have been by design. He still threw for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Auburn was behind 31-28 mid 4th quarter and USU had the ball. AU needed a stop in order to get the ball back and have a shot at going ahead. The defense could not get one. The closest AU had was late in the drive when USU was facing a 4th and 1 from the 4. USU got a delay of game penalty most thought in order to move back and get a better angle for a field goal. Except they didn't kick; they went for it. USU ran a fake and completed a pass down to the one and scored on the next play to go up 10 with about 6 minutes. I honestly thought the game was over. I should know better. Auburn took the next possession and scored a touchdown with around 2:30 left. Down by 3 and only one timeout, AU elected to kick an onside kick and try to get the ball back. If it fails, the game is probably out of reach. Chandler Brooks did a perfect kick and it bounced right into Emory Blake's hands. AU took it and scored with 30 seconds left and completed the miracle victory.

People will say AU deserved to lose and should have, etc... but AU won and since they won, they deserve it. The defense played really badly and the offense was not too bad, sans the running game. Special teams were really good with 4 of 7 kickoffs going for touchbacks and Tre Mason returning a kickoff for a TD. Auburn will get better but how much and how fast? AU could be looking at 2-2 at the end of September with the October gauntlet waiting. Mississippi St. is next and I will have a prediction up for them but right now, it doesn't look great.

Good: Trotter, Blake, Stallworth, Mason, DE ends, kicking game

Average: Dyer, McCalleb, defensive backs

Poor: Defense as a whole